Brush dispenser and applicator for aerosol containers



Feb. 17, 1970 c. sTE 3,495,922

BRUSH DISPENSER AND APPLICATOR FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 8, 1968 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' I II I '1 INVENTOR. CHARLES STEINMAN C. STEINMAN Feb. 17, 1970 BRUSH DISPENS-ER AND APPLICATOR FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS I Filed Feb. 8. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

CHARLES STEINMAN I ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,495,922 BRUSH DISPENSER AND APPLICATOR FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS Charles Steinman, 105 Stevens Ave., Mount Vernon, N.Y. 10550 Filed Feb. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 704,050 Int. Cl. A46b 11/02 U.S. Cl. 401-190 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A trigger-actuated dispensing device for interconnecting a conventional aerosol cannister containing shaving cream under pressure with bristle brush applicator in a coaxial longitudinal assembly with the aerosol cannister being suitably sized to serve as a handle for the brush applicator for spreading the contained shaving foam onto the face. The dispensing trigger when longitudinally slidably depressed, as by the users fingers, depresses the aerosol cannister valve nozzle thereby feeding shaving cream foam through a central bore of the dispenser trigger into a hollow area between the upstanding brush bristles.

The present invention relates to an automatic dispensing device and more particularly to a trigger actuated dispensing device for conducting shaving cream under pressure to a brush applicator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic shaving cream dispensing device adapted to selectively conduct shaving cream from an aerosol cannister to a brush applicator.

Presently commercially available aerosol cannisters containing shaving cream under pressure are used for dispensing shaving cream in foamy condition onto a separate conventional shaving bristle brush for application to the users face. In order to reduce the number of separate articles required for shaving, it is desirable to obtain a compact, easily operative, shaving brush unit for the application of shaving cream foam to the users face.

It is a further object of the presentinvention to provide a trigger actuated shaving cream dispensing device which adapted to coaxially interconnect an aerosol cannister containing shaving cream under pressure and a brush applicator into a single assembly whereby the cannister serves as the brush applicator holder.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention there is provided for use with an aerosol shaving cream container having a topwall and a depressible valve nozzle mounted therein, a dispensing assembly adapted to feed shaving cream from the aerosol container into the interior of the brush. The dispensing assembly of the present invention comprises a cylindrical casing, means for mounting the cylindrical casing in upstanding position on the aerosol container top wall and surrounding the container valve nozzle, a bristle brush applicator, and a trigger member for selectively depressing the container nozzle to release shaving cream from the aerosol container.

The dispensing assembly clyindrical casing has a pair of elongated diametrically-opposed slots extending longitudinally thereof. The brush applicator comprises a cap attached to and overlying the upper end of the cylindrical casing and has a circular row of brush bristles secured to and projecting from the upper end of the casing, while the cap has a through axial bore opening into the center of the circular row of bristles.

The trigger member includes a tube having a lower end sized for mounting upon the valve nozzle and an upper end portion extending slidably into the brush applicator as 3,495,922 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 well as a pair of arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the trigger member tube and through the respective casing slots, for sliding movement longitudinally in the casing slots. The ends of the arms project beyond the outer surface of the casing so that, when depressed, the arms lower the tube to depress the cannister valve nozzle and allow shaving foam to be released under pressure from the canister passing through the nozzle trigger tube, brush applicator through bore to the brush bristles.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and features thereof may best be understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shaving cream cannister dispensing device and brush applicator of the present invention in the assembled condition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 showing manner in which the component parts are assembled;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the shaving cream dispenser in assembled condition, as taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a modified form of dispensing device constituting a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged central vertical section through the assembled dispensing device shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a cylindrical aerosol cannister 10 containing shaving cream under pressure in coaxial assembly with a dispenser 12 and a brush applicator 14. Dispenser 12 when manually actuated by trigger 16 is operative to conduct shaving cream from cannister 10*, through dispenser 12 allowing the shaving cream to spread into the brush bristles 18 of brush applicator 14 to be ready for immediate use for shaving purposes.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol cannister 10 is of the conventional and well-known type presently being commercially marketed for dispensing shaving cream in foamy condition, as well as for dispensing other fluid products. The cannister 10 is in the usual form of a metal can having a central discharge nozzle 20 surrounded by an unstanding circular lip or bead 22, which customarily serves as a mount for a valve actuator fitment or a closure cap. The nozzle 20 is connected to and in communication with an internal outlet valve (not shown) of the usual type, in such a manner that when the nozzle '20 is depressed in a longitudinal direction, the internal valve releases a supply of shaving cream foam under pressure through the central bore 24 of nozzle 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, dispenser 12 includes a hollow cylindrical casing 28, which may be made of suitable plastic, and which is open at its opposite ends. The casing 28 is of such diameter that its bottom open end may be snap-mounted upon the outer surfaces of the cannister lip or bead 22 in the manner shown in FIG. 3, and securely retained in this mounted position until forcibly removed. Casing 28 is also formed with a pair of diametrically-opposed longitudinal slots 30 and 32 which extend from the top open end thereof to a point below the center thereof. These slots 30 and 32 provide for longitudinal sliding movement of the trigger 16 mounted within the casing 28 as a part of the dispenser assembly 12.

The dispenser trigger 16 may be molded integrally as a single plastic unit, and comprises a flat bar 34 through the center of which extends a hollow tuge 36. The tube 36 has a central through bore 38, and its upper and lower portions extend an appreciable distance above and below the bar 34, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bar 34 is of sufficient width to be inserted into the opposed slots 30 and 32 of casing 28, and to be freely slidable therein. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the slidably mounted position of the trigger 16, the opposite end portions 34a and 34b project a substantial distance outwardly of the respective slots 30 and 32 and are thus adapted to be grasped by the users fingers for depression of the trigger 16, in a manner to be presently described.

At its opposite sides, the bar 34 is formed with respective pairs of spaced guide elements 40 and 42 which are aligned at the central portion of bar 34 and are sized and arranged to fit substantially snugly within the hollow interior of casing 28. When the bar 34 is inserted within the slots 30 and 32 from the top of the casing 28, the outer corners of the guide elements 40 and 42 slidably abut or are located close to the inner wall surface of the casing 28, in the manner shown in FIG. 4, thus insuring that the tube 36 extends centrally through the casing 28 and is coaxial therewith. In addition, the pairs of guide elements 40 and 42 inhibit lateral movement of the bar 34 within the slots 30 and 32 and thus constrain bar 34 to sliding movement longitudinally of said slots.

Brush applicator 14 comprises a base cap 44 generally in the form of a truncated cone having a depending skirt 46 forming a bottom recess 48. The base cap 44 has a central through bore 50 which extends from said bottom recess 48 and opens through the top surface of cap 44. Bore 50 is sized to receive the upper end portion of tube 36 closely but slidably therein. The skirt 46 is sized to make a tight frictional fit upon the upper end portion of casing 28, in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

Brush bristles 18 are secured, in the usual manner, to the base cap 44 and are arranged in a circular row around the central bore 50. The bristles 18 are arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 3 to form a central hollow area 52 communicating with bore 50, but to meet at their top ends to form a conventionally-shaped shaving brush.

In assembling the dispensing device with an aerosol container such as the cannister 10, the trigger 16 is dropped into the casing 28, with the bar 34 sliding downwardly through slots 30 and 32 until it rests upon the bottom walls of the latter. The pairs of guide elements 40 and 42 locate the tube 36 centrally within the casing 28 and the lower end of the tube 36 projects below the bottom edge of casing 28. The projecting bottom end of tube 36 is then attached to the nozzle 20 of the aerosol cannister 10, being frictionally fitted thereon to make a liquid-tight seal therewith. The casing 26 is then lowered onto the circular lip 22 of the cannister and pressed down until it snaps thereon.

The brush applicator 14 may now be mounted, or it may have been previously secured to the casing 26. In any event, the skirt 46 is inserted upon the top of casing 26 and depressed until the upper portion of casing 26 fills the entire bottom recess 48 of brush applicator 14 and engages the upper wall thereof, as shown in FIG. 3. The skirt 46 grips the upper portion of casing 28 tightly to provide a secure connection, and in addition the parts may be cemented together, if desired. In lowering the brush applicator 14 to its mounted position upon the casing 28, the upper end of tube 36 enters the bore 50 to provide a direct passage of the dispensed shaving cream from the cannister nozzle 20 to the hollow area 52 within the brush bristles 18. When the brush applicator 14 is in mounted position, it closes off the top open ends of slots 30 and 32, thereby effectively locking the trigger bar 34 therein.

In the assembled position of FIG. 3, the container and dispenser assembly is in condition for use. The nozzle 20 f the aero ol cannister is biased to an elevated position in the usual manner by the contained outlet valve, so that the bar 34 is located above the bottom ends of the slots and 32. When the user desires to shave, he picks up the cannister 10 with One hand, and with the fingers of his other hand merely depresses the projecting end portions 34a, 34b of the bar 34. The bar 34 moves downwardly in slots 30 and 32, carrying with it the central tube 36, which is guided in this downward movement by guide elements and 42. Only a short movement of the tube 36 is required for it to depress the aerosol cannister nozzle 20 sufficiently for it to open the aerosol outlet valve, and while the tube 36 moves downwardly in bore of brush applicator base cap 44, said tube 36 remains within the bore 50.

When the aerosol container valve is opened, shaving cream foam is emitted under pressure from cannister nozzle 20 and passes through the attached tube 36 and the upper end of bore 50 into the hollow area 52 between the brush bristles 18, and when the user sees that the brush is covered with foam, he releases the trigger bar 34, allowing the aerosol valve to close.

Since the brush applicator device is mounted in upstanding position from the top of the aerosol cannister 10, the cannister may be grasped as a handle and used to apply the brush bristles 18 to the face for spreading the contained shaving foam thereon. After shaving, the bristles may be rinsed off to remove all of the lather contained therein and the entire assembly placed on a shelf or other suitable storage place, Without removing the dispenser from the container, until again required for shaving. It will be appreciated that the trigger mechanism is so arranged that accidental opening of the aerosol outlet valve is minimized. To insure this, the length of the trigger bar 34 may be made much smaller than shown in the drawings, so that the ends of the bar project only a very short distance beyond the slots 30 and 32.

The modified embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to the embodiment just described except that the trigger is made in two pieces instead of being formed as an integral unit. In this embodiment, the same aerosol cannister 10 is shown, upon the lip 22 of which is mounted a casing identical to the casing 28 shown in FIGS. 1-4, and having opposed longitudinal slots 62 and 64. Upon the casing 60 is mounted, in the manner previously described, a brush applicator 66 identical to the brush applicator 14 and having a through bore 68 communicating with the hollow area 70 between the bristles 72.

In this instance, the dispenser trigger portion includes a separate tube 74 having a through bore 76, the bottom end of which frictionally receives the valve nozzle 20 of the aerosol cannister 10. The tube 74 is thus separately mounted in upstanding position upon the nozzle 20 for depression of the latter when the tube 74 is moved downwardly. The tube 74 has a lower portion 74a of enlarged outer diameter, defining a shoulder 78.

The trigger portion also includes a separate finger piece comprising a pair of elongated arms 82, 84 extending from opposite ends of an enlarged central portion 86. Formed in the central portion 86 is a circular aperture 88.

The enlarged central portion 86 of finger piece 80 is sized to fit closely but slidably within the interior of casing 60 when the finger piece 80 is inserted into said casing with the arms 82 and 84 extending through slots 62 and 64 and projecting therefrom, as shown in FIG. 6. This enlarged portion 86 thus serves the same purpose as the previously-described guide elements 40 and 42 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, in guiding the vertical movement of the trigger assembly and in preventing lateral movement of the finger piece 80.

In assembly of the elements shown in FIG. 5, the tube 74 is first mounted on the valve nozzle 20 and the casing 60 is mounted on the lip or head 22 of the aerosol cannister 10. The finger piece 80 is then placed on the tube 74, the parts being so dimensioned that the aperture 88 receives the upper end portion of the tube slidably therein. The finger piece 80 is lowered on the tube 74, and the arms 82 and 84 enter the top of slots 62 and 64 and slide downwardly therein. The lower portion 74a is made of larger outer diameter than the aperture 88 so that downward movement of the finger piece 80 ceases when the central portion 86 of the latter comes to rest upon the shoulder 78 of tube 74. Assembly is completed by affixing the brush applicator 66 to the top of casing 60, as shown in FIG. 6, the top of tube 74 extending slidably within the bore 68.

The assembly is actuated to dispense shaving cream foam from container through tube 74 and bore 68 into the hollow interior 70 of the brush, in the manner previously described. When the finger piece 80 is depressed by the users fingers grasping the projecting ends of the arms 82, 84, the finger piece 80 engages and exerts downward pressure on the shoulder 78 of tube 74, causing said tube 74 to depress the valve nozzle and release the pressurized foam.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with an aerosol shaving cream container having a top wall and a depressible valve nozzle mounted in said top wall,

a dispensing assembly adapted to feed shaving cream from said aerosol container into the-interior of a brush,

said dispensing assembly comprising a cylindrical casing having a pair of elongated, diametrically-opposed slots extending longitudinally thereof,

means for mounting said cylindrical casing in upstanding position on the top wall of said aerosol container and surrounding the valve nozzle thereof,

a brush applicator comprising a cap attached to and overlying the upper end of said cylindrical casing, and having a circular row of bristles secured to and projecting from the upper end thereof, said cap having a through axial bore opening into the center of said circular row of bristles,

and a trigger member for selectively depressing the valve nozzle of said aerosol container,

said trigger member including a tube having a lower end sized for mounting upon said valve nozzle and an upper end portion extending slidably into the through bore of said brush applicator, and a pair of arms extending laterally from opposite sides of said tube and through the respective slots of said cylindrical casing sliding movement longitudinally in said slots, the ends of said arms projecting beyond the outer surface of said casing for manual depression, whereby said arms lower said tube to depress said container valve nozzle and release foam under pressure from said nozzle through said tube and through bore to said brush bristles.

2. In combination, a dispensing assembly according to claim 1 and an aerosol shaving cream container in longitudinal assembly, said aerosol shaving cream container being suitably sized to be grasped by the hand, whereby said aerosol shaving cream container comprises a handle for said longitudinal assembly.

3. A dispensing assembly according to claim 1 in which said trigger member is formed integrally as a single unit.

4. A dispensing assembly according to claim 3 wherein said trigger member includes a plurality of spaced guide elements extending longitudinally along the outer surface of said trigger tube to insure the coaxial alignment of said tube within said casing to thereby constrain said trigger arms to sliding movement longitudinally of said slots.

5. A dispensing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cap through bore is sized to receive said trigger tube upper end portion closely but slidably.

6. A dispensing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said brush applicator cap is in the form of a truncated cone having a depending skirt forming a bottom recess sized to make a tight frictional fit with said casing upper end.

7. A dispensing assembly according to claim 1 where-- in said trigger member is formed of removably interfitted components, one of said components comprising said trigger tube having a lower portion of enlarged outer diameter to form a shoulder and the second of said components comprising a finger piece having a central circular aperture sized to slidably receive said trigger tube and said pair of trigger arms extending laterally in opposite directons from said circular aperture, whereby said side arms lower said finger piece to depress said tube shoulder to cause depression of said nozzle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,764,772 10/1956 staskowski et a1. 401- EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, Assistant Examiner U.S. CL. X.R. 222402.1 

